Essential Ascension

Without the Ascension, there is no proof of unity with God. And yet, it is promised that we will be with God in His kingdom to come.

Fr John Brian explores this mysterious event recorded in the scriptures as an essential moment in spiritual development as well as a signal of hope for everyone.

Reflecting on the reading appointed for the Sunday of Ascension, the end of John Chapter 17, Fr John Brian reminds us that Christ came to be like us so that we might become more like Him through the power of the cross.

This sermon uses the English translation of the Aramaic by Lamsa. The Aramaic Bible, also called the Peshitta, was written in the original language of Jesus and his apostles. This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, June 5, 2011 by Fr.
John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
Listen on-line here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2011/06/essential-ascension.html

Last Week:
Before Ascending
Before the Ascension, there are a few more lessons and a few things we need to understand. Fr John Brian explores another part of the mysterious time - when Christ walked alive among us after rising from the dead. Reflecting on 1 Peter 3:17 - "It is better, if it is the will of God, that you suffer for good deeds, rather than evil doing." - Fr John Brian reminds us that the power of the ascension rest squarely upon the power of the cross. This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, May 29, 2011  Listen on-line here:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2011/05/before-ascending.html

Previously:
Fifty years and Eternal Life
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2011/05/fifty-years-and-eternal-life.html
No Hard Hearts Nor Evil Ways
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2011/05/no-hard-hearts-nor-evil-ways.html
Wearing Armor of Spiritual Light
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2011/05/wearing-armor-of-spiritual-light.html
Without a Doubt, Really
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2011/05/without-doubt-really.html

Recent Writings:
ST. GEORGE : A CHRISTIAN HERO FOR THE MODERN WORLD
http://www.lightoflife.com/LOL_Article_AChristianHeroForTheModernWorld.htm
A Question About Confession
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/12/question-about-confession.html
An Assurance of God's Love
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2011/02/assurance-of-gods-love.html
Top FIVE sermons with some Honorable Mentions (November 2005 through May
2009)
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2009/05/top-five-audio-sermons-of-fr-john-bri
an.html
PODCAST OR DOWNLOAD all sermons: http://feeds.feedburner.com/frjohnbrian or
http://frjohnbrian.hipcast.com/rss/spiritual_reflections_or_fr_john_brian.xml
For more articles and sermons, visit http://www.frjohbrian.blogspot.com/
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Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish
621 N. Sherman Avenue, Suite B3
Madison, Wisconsin - Sundays 9:30am
608.242.4244 ~ transfiguration@usa.com
o HEALING LIFE o DEEPENING FAITH
o ENRICHING PRACTICE o REFRESHING SPIRIT
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Pastoral Book by Fr John Brian, includes transcribed texts of sermons.
FULLY ALIVE - Read the introduction and see the table of contents:
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2010/12/fully-alive-introduction.html